Healthy Farms Vet Minerals: Dr. Cornwall’s Mineral Blends

Healthy Farms Vet Minerals

After years of reading mineral labels only to be disappointed and advising clients to mix their own minerals from various commercially-available products (what a hassle!), I have finally designed my own mineral to meet the needs of my patients here in Vermont.

I analyzed over 1500 hay samples from Vermont and created blends of minerals that balance our Vermont forages for Sheep and for Goats, Llamas, and Alpacas. The mineral blends are made with the highest quality, most bioavailable ingredients possible and are sweetened with a touch of natural molasses to encourage appropriate consumption without need to topdress on grain. They are filled with pro-biotics and pre-biotics to aid digestion, and enough vitamins to support health bone and tissue health year-round. The molasses is not sufficient in quantity to add to urolithiasis or gestational concerns.

These mineral blends are available for purchase at Guy’s Farm and Yard in Montpelier, VT. 802.229.0567. They are $50 per 50# bag. https://guysfarmandyard.com/

SHEEP:

Dr. Cornwall’s Sheep Mineral Blend for pastured sheep in Vermont.

These minerals DO CONTAIN COPPER. Because I repeatedly see copper deficiency in my sheep patients grazing in Vermont, I wanted to design a mineral that gives sheep safe levels of copper in their diets when they are primarily grazing. The Sheep Mineral Blend is designed for sheep who eat primarily Vermont hay or grass. They are meant to be fed free choice with mineral consumption around 1 oz per 100 lbs per day. It is best to serve in a clean mineral dish, and some people find that offering two dishes increases total herd consumption. DO NOT OFFER OTHER SOURCES OF SALT (which can decrease consumption of other minerals) OR ANY FEEDS OR MINERALS THAT CONTAIN COPPER!! If you feed kelp or salted sunflower seeds, please mix them with the minerals. If you feed grains to your sheep, please consult with your veterinarian before feeding these minerals.

GOATS, LLAMAS, & ALPACAS:

Dr. Cornwall’s Goat, Llama, and Alpaca Mineral Blend is designed to meet the needs of these species even when they are not offered additional grains. Goats, llamas, and alpacas have very similar needs and these minerals are meant to supply everything that your goat, llama, or alpaca living in Vermont may need when grazing or on hay. They are meant to be fed free choice with mineral consumption around 1 oz per 100 lbs per day. It is best to serve in a clean mineral dish, and some people find that offering two dishes increases total herd consumption. DO NOT OFFER OTHER SOURCES OF SALT as that may decrease mineral consumption!! If you feed kelp or salted sunflower seeds, please mix them with the minerals. If you feed grains to your animals, please consult with your veterinarian before feeding these minerals.